Eighth of Ten -- Thoughts on My Photographs in Separate Wings of the Same Bird

The theme here is friends. Two individuals in each photograph who appear to know each other—to spend time together.

Photograph VX – Best Friends

  

I took this as the sun went down my first night in Havana. I was on a narrow street, the same road where I photographed the grandmother in an earlier post. I took a half dozen photographs of these boys but this is my favorite—the way they touched. The background is perfect but also sad—the deterioration.

Photograph VXI – Morning Coffee at Plaza de Armas

  

I liked the composition. Both me worked at the Plaza. The garbage container on the right matches the bag held by the man on the left. This shot was taken first thing in the morning I saw them together throughout the day.

Seventh of Ten -- Thoughts on My Photographs in Separate Wings of the Same Bird

People shopping versus people sitting on the bench at La Placita—no need for further explanation of color v black & white or Cuba v Puerto Rico.

Photograph XIII – Shopping

I loved this corner and spent time watching people walk through. Must have shot a dozen pics but this one had everything I wanted. All three people’s eyes spoke to me. I loved the woman coming up the street with other people and the shops behind her. Finally, the blue wall and red car filled the frame perfectly. I wouldn’t dare to explain what the eight eyes are saying—I love that they’re looking right at me as I shoot.

Photograph XVI – Lottery Ticket Seller & Friend

I saw these people every day for a week. She shrugged when I gave her this pic but she looked right at me every time I shot. He talked to me, was sweet, and always had his bottle. Am thinking of a series just on him as I must have 25 images.

Sixth of Ten -- Thoughts on My Photographs in Separate Wings of the Same Bird

I placed these photographs together for three reasons—age, posture, and texture.

Photograph XI – On the Bench at La Placita

I took five or six photographs of this man sitting outside of La Placita. First, it was his eyes staring back at me—strong. I also noticed the key around his neck, something that many of the people I photographed at the market wore. It’s significant because it represents people coming from their homes to spend days in public places, Public Living Rooms.

Photograph XII – Abuelo Early Evening in Havana Viejo

The light was perfect and this diminutive woman had eyes that spoke. Like many of her neighbors, she sat on the stoep avoiding the heat and living in public. After leaving Cuba I revisited Peter Turnley, my teacher’s, book on Cuba. He had taken a photograph of the same woman – I hadn’t remembered it and he never mentioned it?

Fifth of Ten -- Thoughts on My Photographs in Separate Wings of the Same Bird

Photographs IX & X in the exhibit are both from Cuba. I did this because of the location in the Beaverton City Library where they hang – behind a desk at the entrance where black and white prints are hard to see.

Photograph IX – Elder at the Tobacco Farm, Vinales

I immediately wanted to take a picture that focused on her face but also caught the colors and texture of her jacket. The lines in the field frame her and that’s important to the photograph. This woman could neither speak nor hear. Just after taking the photo, she twirled her finger at the side of her head referring to one of her fellow workers who was working the crowd of photographers.

Photograph X -- Drummer, Havana

We were at a Plaza listening to music, watching dancers, surrounded by many children. I sat on a wall patiently and this photograph was the outcome. I had been watching the drummer and wanted to take his portrait. When the woman wearing American flag pants came in the frame, I knew I had the pic I wanted. Parenthetically, American flag clothing was not unusual.

Fourth of Ten -- Thoughts on My Photographs in Separate Wings of the Same Bird

As I set-up the show I thought that the photographs of these two women went together perfectly. They are similarly positioned and while the expressions differ, they both show pain or at least life’s struggles.

Photograph VII – Woman & Umbrella at Plaza de Armas

While it was again her eyes that first struck me, seeing her umbrella in the frame completed this picture. Actually, she forgot her umbrella and I ran after her to return it. Her eyes were so intense, penetrating. For me, she exuded pain – physical, economic, everything. Who Knows?

Photograph VIII – Tobacco Field Outside of Vinales

She was the crew leader and mostly I saw strength when I took her picture. The tobacco & lake frame her beautifully, but for me she is still the photo.  The mud on her fingers, her strong face, and as a lagniappe her light, green hair all speak to me. She spends her day picking tobacco but her hair shows her style – an example of seeing more joy amidst hard lives in Cuba.